Congress vows to oppose FCRA Bill, alleges Centre targeting NGOs

The Congress party has announced that it will strongly oppose the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which is expected to be introduced in Parliament during the final week of the Monsoon Session. Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal described the proposed legislation as "unconstitutional and anti-people" and said the Opposition would not allow it to pass.

Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Venugopal alleged that the bill was aimed at targeting minorities and non-governmental organisations. "If the Central Government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves," he said. He added, "We will not allow such an anti-people and unconstitutional bill to be passed."

The bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and is listed for consideration in the last three days of the session. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Saturday that the party would oppose the measure, and the strategy is expected to be discussed at a meeting of Opposition floor leaders on Monday.

In a related development, Venugopal also questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged use of force against students protesting in Delhi against irregularities in competitive examinations. He asked who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges, and tear gas during the protests, and noted Shah's absence from Parliament. "When students in India ask the crucial question of who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas shells against them to suppress their protest, Amit Shah would not come forward to answer it," Venugopal said.

The remarks come amid an Opposition campaign over the July 20 protests in Delhi, during which students alleged excessive use of force. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also interacted with protesters on the issue.

The Congress has issued a whip asking its MPs to remain present in both Houses on August 10, 11, and 12. Party chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh, said the party wanted to ensure that "history should not repeat itself," recalling the suspension of 146 Opposition MPs during the 2023 Winter Session. After those suspensions, several major pieces of legislation, including the three new criminal laws, were passed with minimal Opposition presence. The Congress has also asked its INDIA bloc allies to ensure their MPs remain present.

Venugopal further questioned the proposed restrictions on organisations receiving foreign contributions and raised the issue of foreign funding received by organisations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "If you have the courage, try controlling the RSS," he said. He also opposed the proposed delimitation legislation, arguing that it could disadvantage states that have successfully implemented population-control measures. "This bill effectively chokes states that have successfully implemented population control," he said.

According to the Congress's background information, the FCRA Bill requires a simple majority for passage, while any Constitution amendment bill on delimitation would require a two-thirds majority. The party has said it will work with other Opposition parties to resist the measures.